29Angela found herself making alot of "Choices" lately, but to her mind "Running out " of that service, Was only natural. It's not everyday you think you see the "ghost", of your dead ex husband, but then again where better place to see him than at his Own "Funeral".?
Tony and Jonathon were still playing catchup to her when she turned around and looked at them. They both had a look of bewilderment, and Tony called out to her to stop running and talk to him. She replied the only way she knew how, by running straight into his arms, squeezing the very life out of him, needing to feel the old connection she knew they still had.
"Ay o o ay Angela, what happened in there sweetheart?, what made you run out of there"?
"Oh Tony, I'm sorry to do that to poor Jonathon and you, I guess I just got a shock, I didn't mean to ruin Jonathon's goodbye to his dad. Do you think he's okay, I don't want to upset him anymore than he already is!".
"I think he'll be alright once you tell him why you ran out like that, he was just behind me a couple of minutes ago. Jonathon, hey Jon, where are you?".
Tony and Angela turned around, and both realised they had walked as far as the cemetery, which of course was only Natural, for they were at a church. What they didn't think was natural was Jonathon Looking at a headstone, and looking as though he was talking to someone. When Angela sidled up to Jonathon, she put her arm over his shoulder and quietly whispered to him.
"Hi honey!, are you alright?, who are you talking too? You can tell me, I won't laugh or mock you, because I think your father was here today for both of us. Is that who you were talking to?, or am I realllly going crazy on my own?"
"No mum, you're right, dad visited me to, he wanted to make amends to both of us, but he doesn't want to be seen by the rest of the family, just you and me. He felt guilty about you and Tony, and wanted to repair the damage he did to your marriage."
"Well that's a relief to know I'm not going crazy, but what now? We still have to finish off the service and say goodbye, he deserves that much"
"Your'e right, but let's not tell the rest of the family, and that includes Tony, not just yet anyway. Let's just give dad as peaceful a send off as possible, no more interruptions , okay?"
"Truth be told Jon, I really miss peaceful and, normal, would go down a treat right now to. So let's do it, and then see what tomorrow brings. ". Angela was so tired, it took all her strength to walk back to the church ,with Tony and Jon trailing after her.
When they returned to the church, they noticed a few people had left, but the people who Were Micheals true friends stayed behind to listen to the last Part of the sermon. It was all about being Kind to your fellow man, and someone had told a story about "Micheals parents", that even Angela didn't know. It was about how even though Micheals dad had left them, it wasn't until his mother was dying that she had written a letter to Micheal. His aunt had been given it, and she was supposed to give it to Micheal, but it had only recently been found among Michaels belongings. It said that Micheal had been "Adopted", by the "Bowers", and his "real", family had come to see him in L.A. They had said they wanted to meet him, and his "wife", "Heather", and they knew he was under no obligation to see them, but they hoped to at least swap stories, and maybe meet for coffee, if both family's agreed to. The letter also said, Micheal had 1 brother and 1 sister, and both were working in New York, as advertising executives. When Angela heard that last part, she nearly laughed out loud. "Fancy, an advertising exec in your family, a female one at that, how ironic, Micheal, you never liked me working in what you used to call a "Mans Domain", and you were already related to one before we were married. You didn't stand a chance". Angela thought this to herself, but couldn't wait to discuss it with the rest of her family, first chance she'd get. The man talking had been as "close" a "friend", Micheal ever had. They had worked together for the last few years, on assignments, and the latest had brought Michael to Chicago, where he agreed to meet his "relatives". No one else knew this side of Michael, least of all Angela or Jon! and it left Angela wondering how All those years ago, she could have "Fallen", for a man who led such a "selfish", and "risk taking", life, but who could be so damn, "selfish", in other ways too. Did he not even tell Heather, before he died?. Is this why he came back to see them?, was it even true that he wanted their "Forgiveness", or was he being "Selfish", again in not wanting his "Secret ", to come out, and destroy whatever reputation he had built for himself. He had always acted the big macho, "I don't need anybody", man, Especialily around his family, but this had proven he may have "needed", people sometime if he had contacted "these people "purporting ", to be his "Siblings". Angela made a mental note to ask her "Lawyer", to look into the "Letter", for verification of its validity.
When the service had concluded, everyone who had stayed the distance looked "Shocked", they all went to the "burial", feeling "Confused", as to whom the "man", that had just been "lauded", really was. The only one not surprised by the outcome was Tony, who felt "justified", in his dealings with Michael. He knew that one day hopefully a long time from now, this could be an "I told you so", moment with Angela. He wasn't about to rub it in now to her, but he would store it away for future reference. He felt that all the time they had wasted arguing over a "man" who not only was an "ex", but had a huge secret, not even shared with his family, was not worthy of his pity.
No one saw the man standing on Angela's right, Michael blew her a kiss, whispering in her ear "I'm sorry Angela, I just found out 2 weeks before I came to visit you, I was in such a shock about it myself. I didn't know what to think, and then when I did think about it, I decided to meet them. I wanted answere to the many questions stirring in my brain, like who were my real parents?, what were they Like?. What is my real last name, where was I born?, and the most important one of all, do I always feel the need to wander because it's in my blood? Did I inherit the feeling from my "Real Parents", or is it just Me?. Youv'e got to understand I never meant for this secret to stay hidden, i wanted to reveal it before my accident, but I missed the chance.". Next Michael wandered over to Jonathon's side, and placed a protective arm on his son.
"Jon, I'm so sorry to you too. You gotta know it's one of the many regrets I'll take with me on the other side. I Love you son, and what I said before still goes, I couldn't be prouder of you and the man you v'e become, if I tried. I know iv'e caused you and your mother some major headaches these last few months, but once we say goodbye today I want you to promise me something, I want you and your family to start healing. You need to take steps to see that you Angela and Tony all see that counsellor woman, and you get yourself married to that wonderful fiancée of yours. Where is she by the way?"
Jonathon whispered very quietly so people wouldn't see him talking to thin air, and Rita wouldn't think she was marrying into a family of loonies.
"Dad, she's the one standing next to Tony, she's just very quiet and respectful allowing me time to "Grieve you", on my own here. You'd like her dad, she's always worrying about me, and without her and mum, I don't think I could have got through today. I know Tony's been there for me too, but with the way things were between he and mum lately, I needed Rita more and more. Anyway I should be asking you stuff, not only is this supposed to be about you today, but the shock story about your adoption must have had you upset. Did you hide that letter from us on purpose, leaving it in your bag like that?.Were we ever going to be told, or was it another "Micheal, Bower Mystery ", waiting to be unraveled?"
"Don't you mean the mystery was who is "Micheal Bower "? Because it sure wasn't me. Even now what's written on my own gravestone, is a lie. I'm not even a Bower, my real last name is Dover, and my parents were from Chicago. They had both died in a car accident 2 years ago, and my brother and sister had also been left a letter acknowledging my existence. They were understandably curious about me, and got in contact with me to meet. Anyway to make a long story short, I met them and we talked about our lives. I couldn't believe it when they told me they both worked in Advertising, your mum would get a kick out of the irony. I'll leave it up to you if you want to meet them, but my impression is, they'd be a great aunt and uncle. Neither one married, so you'd probably be spoilt rotten by them, and I think your mum and Tony would warm to them to. Ange could talk non- stop about work, and unlike Tony or me, she'd have an audience that could relate to her troubles. One more thing Jon, could you please look in on Heather for me?, that's another mistake I need to rectify. You see I accused her of being unfaithful, and she wasn't. The kid really is mine, I just panicked at messing up again. I guess I just thought if I made her out to be the one who left, I could shift the blame from me. The truth is, I did what I always do and I ran away, leaving her with the mess to clean up. She has never been unfaithful to me, she's always been patient loyal and loving, just like your mum was many years ago. I didn't deserve either of them, but I was damned lucky to have them in my life. If you do go to visit your aunt Nadine or uncle Richard, would you please take Heather with you? They had mentioned wanting to meet her, and I think I owe it to both you and Heather, to make a connection with them, and of course Angela, if she wants"!
Jonathon was feeling abit touched at hearing his dad finally admit his shortcomings. Although he knew it came at a price, he also knew he would agree to all of his wishes. After all it was his last request, ( more or less), and it was a way to give him the peace in "Death" That seemed to allude him in "Life".
"Okay Dad, I'd be honoured to help you in any way I can. Starting tomorrow and after the will reading, I'll talk to Heather and mum. I'll need Tony there for moral support, and I'll get Rita, Sam and maybe doctor Bellows on speaker phone, in case I need her. What about little Anna, should she be told anything ?, I mean she didn't know you and she's just a kid!"
"Woah Jon, your'e getting ahead of yourself there abit aren't you,? Remember, "One day at a time"!, it's your life motto now, you need to think it every day and live by it! when you're married and starting your own family, you'll have to hold onto your faith, the faith that you can get through every day and every crisis without needing a drink. You won't always have your mother or Tony to help pull you through, and there may even be times when Rita and your future kids won't be there to guide you. This is something you, and you alone have to go through. Remember "The first drink", does the damage. After that one is never enough! I speak from experience, my adopted "Dad", wasn't only a wife beater, but he got drunk and went on rampages. I just never told you about it, because it was another trait I thought I'd inherited. Not the wife bashing or drunken rampages, but the "Leaving when the going got tough". I was too ashamed to admit I even did it. But it's exactly what I did! Look son, I know you're probably not ready to admit you need help with the drinking, but if I've learned one thing through all this, it's never be ashamed to ask for help. If I'd only come clean with Heather about how scared I was about being a dad again, I probably wouldn't have left to see your mum, thus upsetting her marriage, causing my premature death, and leaving 1 fatherless child, a widow, and a son who is very confused and torn about my death. Granted I was dying of cancer, and the doctor's had only given me 2 years, but things may have been more civil, and I could have provided for you properly. I'm so so sorry, we didn't have more time. But I want you to know, I'll always Love you Son, and I'm so proud of you. As for little Anna, you do what you think is best. If she ever does ask about me, tell her from me, that I was very proud of my son, and went to my grave happy in the knowledge that my son was part of the most loving and giving family I could ever wish for. Now all the sappy stuff has been said, I think it's time to say goodbye for now. I need to give you your moment saying goodbye to the "mortal me", and I think Heather and your mum, could use your moral support. Don't worry kid, we'll see each other at least twice more, and then only in "Your Dreams". But I'll always be right by your side, you just won't be able to see me anymore ". "Bye Jon, I love you, remember that. "
Michael walked over to Heather, touching her cheek with his hand, and then vanished into the night. Jonathon felt despair, relief and an overwhelming desire to hug his Mum. He walked over to her, putting his arms around her neck, squeezing the very life out of her. Tony came over, he wanted to be a part of the love fest, then Rita and Heather joined in. By this time, they were the only mourners left anyway, once they stopped hugging, they each said a few words about Michael, some silent and some out loud. Angela invited Heather back to her house, but she declined, very graciously. They set up a time after the will reading to talk things through, and then everyone went their way. Jon looked to the sky, and said. "Dad, thanks for being here for me today, it really meant alot, I love you Dad"! Jon thought he heard a very faint. "Your'e welcome Son",
And of course "He Did".